Meet Lily Horowitz of The Core Method in Northbrook

Core Method Pilates was founded in 1998 by Lily, a leading and published certified Pilates instructor with over 30 years of experience in the fitness industry.

Lily was first exposed to Pilates 19 years ago as a student of the method. After personally realizing the benefits of the work, seeing changes in her own body and physical ability, she was then trained and certified in the method.

Since then, Lily has developed an instructional method based on the founding principles of Joseph H. Pilates and the integration of other core development techniques to create a total body experience for her clients.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The entire business has been an organic growth pattern as it’s been all word of mouth!

We get referrals from many Drs. At The Rehab Institute (now called the Shirley Ryan ability lab), and Northwestern Hospital.

While, there weren’t many struggles, running a Pilates studio or any fitness boutique studio is truly a labor of love.

We have been in business over 20 years & thankfully we have helped so many people feel better and look better.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Core Method – what should we know?
We are a boutique fitness studio nestled in the heart of the north shore. We are accessible to many communities and even have people come from the city to take our classes.

While we are based on the principles of Joseph H Pilates, we believe that if he was alive today he would have evolved his own work. So we have created a VERY dynamic class that works you from head to toe and every muscle in between. It is unlike ANY Pilates class you will ever take because it is a fusion we’ve created based on 4 different Pilates methods. This method works and not only for the hour you are in class, but we also teach our clients about how to strengthen and use their bodies outside of class as well. After all, the work is all about your mind controlling your body and that goes well beyond the mat.

We are very proud that our little studio is a real community! Many women most of who don’t know each other have met and developed friendships because of us. We have had happiness and tragedy and everyone comes together for support. It really makes opening my doors every day a pleasure. I often joke that if I added a cafe and couches, people would never leave!

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Many people supported us in so many ways! First and foremost, my family and friends who were my test subjects and lovers of my original work. Then my clients who everyday came to tell me how good they felt physically and emotionally, that they are wearing pants they haven’t worn in years, that I gave them an ass, that their husbands want to hug me etc..

There are so many stories, but here are a few: One of them Linda B coined the phrase “it’s Lily or lipo”

Another one Lois D came to me hunched over with a compound fracture in her spine and a 2 inch height loss. I was able to get her standing straight upright, she grew back and inch and even her Dr. noted that her compound vertebrae fracture moved back into place now that she was able to stand straight.

The last one Larry Z came to me with a walker, he had fractured his hip and had to endure 3 months of bed rest. He was weak and could barely stand on his legs without support. He is now walking walker free and is so happy.

All in all, I love helping people and in turn they help me by filling my heart when I can actually help them affect change.